Small Decentralized Hydropower Program National ... - Cd3wd.com

periencia en la construcci6n y un m6todo no conven-
cional resultaron en un proyecto con mucho exito.
La metodolo@a traditional para 10s proyectos de
obras ptiblicas - enfocados en la ingenietia y la
economia - no es la recomendada por el Sr. Donal
O’Leary, Un buen programa incluir& una metodologia
multidisciplinaria. Es generalmente aceptado que 10s
ingenieros, hidrblogos, geelogos y economistas son
vitales al desarrollo de un programa hidroekctrico.
Lo que a menudo falta, sin embargo, es la contribu-
ci6n de 10s trabajadores sociales, especialistas en el
desarrollo rural, expertos en la ciencia de1 ambiente,
y agr6nomos. Los 6ltimos tienen el papel importante
de asegurar que se hagan 10s majores uses posibles
de las facilidades y de la electricidad originada por
10s proyectos hidroenergeticos. Estos tipos de exper-
tos especializados son 10s mejor equipados para pro-
mover uses productivos.
El uso de las aguas en la irrigaci6n y pequzfias
plantas hidroel&tricas iiustran 10s intereses que a
menudo compiten en un ambientc: rural. Un proyecto
hidroekctrico que tenga exit0 ha tie prestar con-
siderack a las cuestiones institwionales tales coma
Ma, de tal modo que el proyecto pceda ser desar-
rollado dentro de un sistema cooperative.
De acuerdo al Sr. Ray Holland, hay pocas diferen-
cias esenciales entre el desarrollo pliblico y el privado
para pequeks centrales hidroektricas. Hablando
sobre sus recientes experiencias en Colombia, 61 dice
que 10s problemas comunes pueden ser superados.
Por supuesto, 10s costos son 10s problemas m&s
grandes. La involucrackin de la comunidad - en
ausencia de una fuente 6nica de finJnciamiento ex-
terno - es esencial. Este c’s el el?mento al cual 10s
expertos privados en el desarrollo deben prestar con-
sideracidn initial. Sin alfin envolvimiento de la com-
mayoria de 10s proyectos se convertitian en un
fracaso.
Si un proyecto debe ser financiado cxternamente
por intermedio de instrumentos de deuda, hay finan-
ciamiento intemacional disponible para dichos pro-
yectos. El Sr. Ram6n L6pez-Rivera relatd la ex-
periencia de1 Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
(IDB) en la-financiackkn de pequefios proycctos hidro-
ekctricos. El indic6 que la decisi6n de ayudar a un
proyecto es usualmente basada en ei anglisis de c6mo
el proyecto coordine con lo’s programas de desarrollcr
national o regional de tirea. El IDB enfoca en la
evaluaci6n ecorkmica y tkcnica de1 proyecto, pero 61
nota que un element0 clave en el analisis es la
capacidad de1 proyecto para satisfacer 1% demandas
315
The traditional approach to public works pro-
jects - centered on engineering and economics
- is not the approach recommended by
Mr. Donal O’Leary. A good program will be multi-
disciplinary in its approach. It is generally ac-
cepted that engineers, hydrologists, geologists
and economists are vital to a hydroelectric
development program. What is often missing,
however, is the contribution of social workers,
rural developrnent specialists, environmental
scientists and agronomists. The latter have the
important role of ensuring that the best possible
uses are made of the facilities and electricity
created by the hydro project. It is these types of
specialists who are best equipped to promote
productive uses of the projects.
Irrigation and small hydro uses of water il-
lustrate the often competing interests in the rural
setting. A successful hydro project will give con-
sideration to institutiona! issues such as this so
that the project can be developed within a
cooperative framework.
According to Mr. Ray Holland, there are few
essential differences between public and private
development of small hydro. Speaking from his
recent experience in Colombia, he stated that the
common problems can be overcome. Costs are,
of course, the largest problem. Community in-
volvement - in the absence of a single, external
financing source - is essential. This is the ele-
ment to which private developers must give their
initial consideration. Without some community in-
volvement in fund raising, most projects become
unworkable.
If a project is to be funded externaily through
debt instruments, then there are International
lenders available for project participation.
Mr. Ramon Lopez-Rivera reviewed the experience
of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDS) in
financing small hydro projects. He indicated that
the decision to support a project is usually based
on an analysis of how the project fits into an
overall national or regional development plan.
The IDB does stress economic and technical pro-
ject evaluation, however, he notad that a key ele-
ment in its analysis is the capability of the
project to meet greater demands in the future.
Experience has taught the IDR that electricitv de-
mand tends to grow faster than originally an-
ticipated.
Mr. Salvatore Liberatore stressed that the
definition of small hydro can vary considerably.